The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra sharply criticized the Congress, demanding a public apology for approximately 60,000 farmer suicides reported during the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) alliance’s 15-year rule from 1999 to 2014. State BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhye, addressing a press conference in Mumbai, attributed these tragedies to the “useless policies” of the Congress-led government, asserting that they left farmers with no option but to take their lives. The remarks come amid ongoing Opposition criticism of the current BJP-led government’s response to crop losses caused by excessive rains in Marathwada.

Upadhye challenged the Congress to acknowledge its past failures before criticizing the present administration’s efforts to support farmers. He further lambasted the Opposition’s lack of constructive contributions, sarcastically noting, “One would feel happy that there is no Leader of Opposition in the legislature.” He accused the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) of fixating on internal party disputes, the Congress of being preoccupied with its central leadership, and the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) of reflexively opposing government initiatives without offering viable solutions.

Highlighting the current government’s proactive measures, Upadhye contrasted them with the tenure of former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, claiming that Thackeray’s administration failed to provide timely aid to rain-affected farmers. In contrast, he stated, the present government has promptly announced assistance to address the recent agricultural losses in Marathwada. The BJP’s call for an apology underscores the deepening political rift in Maharashtra as parties clash over accountability for farmer welfare.

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The controversy reflects broader tensions in the state’s political landscape, with the BJP leveraging historical data to deflect criticism and emphasize its commitment to farmers. As the debate intensifies, the focus on farmer suicides and agricultural distress highlights the urgent need for effective policies to support Maharashtra’s agrarian community, which continues to face challenges from unpredictable weather and economic pressures.

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